With today’s fast-paced, always-on lifestyle, it’s not surprising that we’re not getting enough sleep. In fact, sleep deprivation is one of the biggest public health crises of our time, with an estimated one-third of adults not getting enough sleep.

Detoxification or ‘detox’ for short, has become a popular component of wellness. From a vegetable or fruit detox to a liquid-only fast, these efforts all target your liver. New research reveals that detoxing actually occurs naturally in your brain – while you sleep. A neurologist at Mediclinic explains further.

Four hundred South Africans suffer a stroke daily: this is a medical emergency where the blood flow to a section of the brain is interrupted or diminished. What’s important is prompt treatment, which can limit damage to tissue that’s suffered a lack of oxygen and nutrients. Dr Rudi Renison, a neurologist in private practice at Mediclinic Cape Gate, explains.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa estimates that 10 people suffer a stroke in South Africa every hour. There are ways to minimise the effects of a stroke – providing you act fast. Neurologist Dr Marcelle Smith, practising at Mediclinic Sandton, explains.

According to a new study, blood pressure may be one of the risk factors that make the brain more vulnerable to dementia, including the formation of brain lesions typical of diseases like Alzheimer’s. Neurologist Dr Marcelle Smith, practising at Mediclinic Sandton, explains.

You may have heard that depression is caused by abnormal chemistry in the brain and that antidepressants work by altering the levels of these substances. But what does this mean? What is the chemistry behind depression?

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterised by recurrent seizures, or convulsions that occur when there is abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy South Africa estimates the condition affects one out of every 100 people in South Africa, with 75% of those experiencing their first seizure before the age of 20.

Ask most people what behaviour they typically associate with Alzheimer’s disease and they’ll most likely say memory loss. This is true, and it’s usually the first sign, but this is just one manifestation of a complex disease that has many symptoms which progress slowly over several years.

It’s vital that parents know the difference between the three types of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and that they don’t jump to conclusions when it comes to their child’s behaviour. We help you learn more about this complex condition so you can make informed decisions.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is most commonly associated with the urge to move during periods of inactivity. Neuropsychiatrist at Mediclinic Constantiaberg, Dr Irshaad Ebrahim, explains RLS and the toll it can have on sufferers.